Sealing gate valve



Sept. 13, 1960 G. s. KNox 2,952,437

SEALING GATE VALVE Filed Oct. l5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 umlnwm' m 'l 715 j I FF f2 1 sept. 13, 1960 G. S. KNOX SEALING GATE` VALVE Filed Oct. l5. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheetl 2 6794 m//LLE 5: .Ma/v,

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sept. 13, 1960 G. s. KNQX 2,952,437

SEALING GATE VALVE Filed Oct. l5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 position SELING GATE VALVE -Granville .S. Knox, Glendale, Calif., assignor to Hydril Company, ,Los Angeles, `Calif.,..a corporation of Ohio AFiled Get. AI15, 1956; Ser.No\. 615,944

15 Claims. (Cl. 251-1'7-1) This invention relates generally .to liuid controlling de- 4vices,` and `more `.particularly/has .to .do .with improvements .:in .such devicesincorporatingjgate Yvalving operation .and .especially ,to the gate .sealing actionthereof.takingplace A`as the deviceis closed; various `.novelfeatures :ofrhe `in- AMention residing in the construction of improved gate valuing devices in general, gate -tjypeorifce fittings inpar- .,ticular and alsointhe `arrangement and .coaction ofthe `prlts- .automatically accomplishing lpositive sealingyas the rvalvinggate `ismoved to final `low blaukingposition in the .valve chamber. As ,subsequently -used herein, `the `term valve -refers .broadly .to .any device 4for controlling Liluid flow, and-the .term Y.gate valve shall .refer 'to `such allow controlling device incorporating agate as 4the ow fcontrolling element, as for Aexampleagsolid plate, orifice plate-,or gate .insert and` the like or combinations thereof.

Erom the .standpointzof `simple `and reliable operation .of -aggate -valveincorporating 4.packing vmaterial for sealing otf between the movable valve gate `and .fixed valvebody, it is found that .for maximum effective `and uniform sealing pressure distribution the packing should be bodily dis- Iplaceable into engagement with the gateandportions .of @the valvebody, the packing preferably being `formed .of a

relatively `rigid internally tenacious material such `as molded tetrailuoroethylene or asbestos and being closely confined by metal parts when great pressure `is exerted 4thereon tominimize ,any ,tendency .,of the `material .to extrude out betweenmetal parts. Furthermorabodily displacement ,of the packing into.' pressure .sealing :condition should take `place only ,afteror just before the gate has .come to nrest in ow blanking positionin the chamber so ,that the packing .will not be npressure squeezed into the path o f gate movement to-be worn away thereby.

`Finally .the sealing action referred to :should `beauto- 4,rnatically initiated `asithe manual control 'for the gate is mOi/ed -to `closedposition, .and `with .as little. `complication 'as possible `as respects the number .of parts` and .their interactions to establish the seal. While some valves `are .designed `with different components separatelyoperable by ahandwheel -to1iirst moye .the .gate rto ow blanking posi- Lion `and thereafter displace Vthe `packing to `establish the seal, the. present `novel valve makes .advantageous use of ,movement `of the gate itself `actuating packing displacement Ajust before 1the gate arrives at nal ilow blanking Suchactivation of the sealingffunctionis.accom- "plished by providing means extending in the-path of jgate travel "and movable in response -to gate engagement there- .with to bodily displace the .packing .into sealing engagernent with the gate, `the :packing displacing .means consisting of such loosely iintefftting partsoperatingogether `with relatively fr-ictionlessfaction that they may be fully .exposed tothe `:iluid in the valve .chamber without `concern, thereby ,eliminating theneed for a special -seal bewherrthe pressure sealing action is established rice every tendency of the packing to extrude out of position under great pressure.

The preferred arrangement of parts consists of a pair of packing annuli suported by the valve body to receive `the gate therebetween, at least one and preferably `both of the annuli being axially bodily displaceable `towardthe gate when moved into position therebetween by a .thrust ring, or rings, portions of which extend in :the path.of gate displacement, and which are movable laterally in response to gate engagement therewith. The `gate isnsupported by close fitting body faces for maximum `.protection in case of tire and so that the faces are wiped clean .of sediment by the gate during its movement. `Also, .as .the valve isropened or closed, the body facessupport the .gate in lsuch relation -to the retracted packing that any `.thrust 'loads .exerted against .the gate resulting from .differential fluid pressure acting thereon cannot force .thegate .into harmful contact withtlie packing. In addition, .thevalve design is such that the packing ,and .actuating `thrustrings .engageable therewith do not have to work `against ,ilu-id pressure in the valve chamber as the -packing -is shifted Abodily into gate sealing position.

A further object of the invention is to providea gate type valve assemblyin which the valve gate, ortilowcontrolling element, is made in the `form .of .an easily removable and replaceable disk or plate. The `novel struct-ure also provides an unusually simple, safe andeffective means for the rapid removalv and Areplacement V-of the valve disk While the valve `assemblyeremains in the llow line .andqis subjected to the Afull flow line pressure.

A valve of this type can -be usedmost ,advantageously for restricting 4and regulating the flow from -oil `and -gas wells Lbecause the `production from such wells .normally `contains quantities of sand and other abrasive elements which tend to rapidly erode and cut out the restrictive openinggin-the orifice plate so that frequent replacement of this part may be necessary.

One of the preferred forms of the .invention contemplates the use of two orce plates which, if desired, -may have the same size openings. This permits a new .orifice plate to be moved into a position across the llowistream as a worn plate `is movedout of the iiow stream ,and 'intoa position where it can be easily removed and replaced Withoutfurther interruption of the ow of oil or gas from the well, the ow continuing through the new oriiceplate while the wornA plate is replaced.

4These and` other `objects of the invention, as well as `the details of `an illustrative embodiment, will be .more

fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through a valve with the gate being movedinto llow blanking position;

Fig. 2 is .a section -taken ,on line 2 2, of Fig. fl showing the gate as it engages the thrust rings operable to bodily displace the Vpacking annuli;

Fig. 3 is a perspective viewof the two thrust rings; l

Figs. 4a and 4b are enlarged fragmentary sect-ions showing the disposition of the gate, packing and :thrust rings respectively justbefore and after bodily displacement ofthe packing into engagement-with the gate;

Fig. 5 is arvertical section through a `modified val-ve showing the gate movedinto flow 4blanking position;-

Fig. 6a is a reduced frontal elevation `taken online 6 6 `of Fig. -`5 showing :the gate in ilow blanking position;

Fig. 6b-is a reduced frontal elevation of the Fig.`5 Agate shown inilowpassing position;

`Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through an-orice fitting showing the .gate in flow controlling position;

Eig. 8 is a vertical section taken `011 line 8-"8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a reduced frontalelevationof the Figs. '7 and in ow blanking position.

The valve assembly generally indicated at includes a pair of similar anged body caps 11 symmetrically connected into opposite ends of a lateral bore 12 formed by a `body Vannulus 13 integral with extension 14, each cap r11 including =a pair of laterally spaced vertical llanges 'p15 and 16, the formerbeing connected by fasteners 17 with annulus 13 and the latter being connectible to piping not shown. Caps 11 include similar reduced dimension 'cylindrical bosses 18 having outer surfaces 19 spaced from 4the annulus 13 and spaced opposite end faces 2l, these ,spaces `together forming a valve chamber generally indicated at 21 and within which valve gate 22 is longitudinally movable relatively up and down by rod 23 for con- 'trolling the flow of uid through the chamber and the fcoaxial inlet and outlet valve passage 24 formed by the "two body caps 11 at opposite chamber sides. Vertical l'rod displacement is effected by rotating handwheel 25 keyed to nut 26, which is in turn threaded to the upper 4end of the rod, the nut being mounted for friction free 'rotation in the bonnet 27 by ball bearing 28, yet retained thereby against axial displacement. The gate itself is in the form of a relatively narrow plate extending in a plane normal to the direction of ow through passages 24, and contains an inverted T-shaped recess 29'extending laterally through the upper portion of the gate for loosely retaining an inverted square T-head 30 carried at the lower end of rod 23. As a result the gate, which cannot rotate in the chamber 21 about a ver- I'tical axis, prevents rod rotation upon turning of the nut 26 since the straight walls of recess 29 interfere with rota- ',tion of the T-head 30. At the same time, the loose Vmounting of the gate on the rod permits slight lateral shifting of the gate sufficient for adjusting itself in pressure equalzing sealing engagement with the two packing annuli 31 at opposite sides of the gate. p The packings preferably comprise relatively rigid inter- Vnally tenacious plastic material such as molded tetrauoroethylene or asbestos capable of bodily displacement primarily in a single direction under high pressure, as distinguished from plastic ow in different directions as is characteristic of natural or synthetic rubber under the -same pressure conditions.

l Each packing annulus 31 is mounted on the outer cylindrical surface 19 of one of the bosses 18 for lateral sliding vbodily displacement toward and away from a side of the gate, such displacement being effected by thrust rings 32 riding on surfaces 19 :and containing lateral bores 33 re- ;ceiving the packings against the bore inner ends 34. The packing annuli project laterally from the bores sufhciently clear of the thrust rings 32 and toward the gate sides for compressive engagement therewith during valve sealfin'g in closed condition without danger of metal-to-metal Vengagement of the rings with the gate. To prevent pres- Vsure from extruding the packings into the clearances 35 'between the rings and gate under extreme pressure conrditions, met-al insert rings 36 are concentrically fitted on the packing annuli to ride :against the bores 33 in spaced relation from bore ends 34 and project to the sealing ends 37 of .the packings 31 so as to cover and separate the y latter from the clearances 35.

The end 130 of each insert ring 36, where it contacts packing 31, is beveled to facilitate some extrusion, or

squeezing, of the plastic packing through ring 36 brought about by pressural engagement with the end 34 of the thrust ring 32. Such extrusion is desirable as a means `of compensating for any wear or loss of material at ,sealing ends 37.

The thrust rings 32 carry a pair of integral lugs 38 projecting laterally across chamber 21 on opposite sides of lvertical gate axis 39 for engagement by opposite gate ears 40 on downward stopper displacement. The lugs are carried above a horizontal plane 41 through axis 42 of -passages 24 so that they will tend to move away from VF.vertical axis 39 and from the gate edges as theyV are simultaneously forced downwardly by the gate ears, producing relatively opposite thrust ring rotation about axis 42. The loose fit between the T-head 30 and recess 29 accommodates limited rocking movement of the gate suicient, should one lug 38 beengaged before the other, for engagement of both lugs prior to effective ring rotation.

Anti-friction bearings 43 are equally spaced about axis 42 within opposite conical recesses 44 in opposite faces 45 and 46 of the .thrust rings and caps 11, these bearings extending generally in the path of ring rotation so as to urge the rings oppositely toward the packings and gate in response to rotary movement thereof. In so doing, the balls roll up on opposite conical recess walls inclined in the direction of ring rotation and laterally toward the 'gate as seen in Figs. 4a and 4b. Thus, lateral thrust is transmitted to the packing annuli, bodily displacing them into sealing engagement with opposite sides of the gate in flow blanking position and with boss surfaces 19, effectively sealing the valve.

In this condition, the packings and stopper prevent entrance of uid into valve chamber 21 from either one of passages 24. The tightness of this fluid seal can be tested by removing plug 47 from the lower outlet opening 48 in annulus 13 so that leakage of uid into chamber 21 may be detected. When the handwheel is rotated counterclockwise, initial retraction of the gate releases the thrust rings and relieves the sealing pressure on the packing annuli so that the gate may be withdrawn upwardly without interference bythe packings. The rings 32 may then rotate relatively backwardly so that the balls become centered in the conical recesses and the packings fully retracted as seen in Fig. 4m. In this condition, fluid from passages 24 may enter all of chamber 21 coming in conregistration with passages 24, the valve presents smoothby fasteners 61 into opposite ends of a lateral bore 62 tact with the balls and thrust rings, but with little likelihood of damage to the parts since the clearances between the moving parts are large, permitting free sediment drainage to the bottom of chamber 21 to be periodically drawn olf through opening 48. Seals 50 and 51 respectively between the bonnet 27 Vand rod'23 and the bonnet and extension 14 prevent escape of fluid from chamber 21 past these elements. Also annular seals 52 between the annulus and body caps 11 "prevent iiuid escape therebetween from within-chamber In Figs. 5 and-6,"showing elements corresponding to those previously described in connection with Fig. 1 retainingthe same numerals, the gate 22 is elongated in the vertical direction and the body annulus 13 is also v extended downwardly to receive a portion of the gate in a lower portion of chamber 21 extended well below lateral passages 24. An orifice 55 is'centered in the lower section' of the gate'so as to be completely tout of communication with passages 24 when the solid gate portion above the orice is in ow blanking position with the packing annuli in pressural engagement against the gate.

On llongitudinal upward retraction of the gate, the Orice 55 is rst brought into partial registration with passages 24 and ultimately arrives at centered position with 'respect to the passages 24, for passing full flow through the valve, the orifice 55 having the same diameter as passages 24." Since opposite faces of the gateV remain throughout gate travel in closely spaced adjacent relation Vwith the ends 20 of the annular bosses 18, particles of A'matter carried by the'flowl pass through the open valve 'without becoming trapped in the portion of chamber 21 below passages 24. Furthermore, when orifice 55 vis in -ly streamlined surfaces to the flow therethrough, reducing A,fluid friction losses to a minimum.

. 'I'he orice fitting illustrated in Figs. 7 through 9 includes a pairof body y.caps 60v symmetrically connected `formed by a-relativelydarge body annulus 63. Caps 60 forming an upright valve chamber 'generally indicated at ,64 and .within which a gate 65 is rotatable in V-a `plane normal to the `axis 42 .of passages 24.

Mounted on the cylindrical surfaces '19 at opposite sides of the gate are two packing annuli 31 preferably comprising relatively rigid internally tenacious `plastic material `such as molded tetraliuoroethylene or asbestos, the annuli being capable of lateral sliding bodily displacement .toward and'away from the gate sides. Such displacement toward the jgate is effected by thrust rings 32 mounted in relation to the packing annuli and bosses 18 as described in connection with Fig. 1. The rings `carry integral lugs 66 projecting downwardly into a .portion of chamber 64 directly below the rings for engagement by spaced pins 67 and 68 carried by lthe rotatable gate.

Tl'hepins project through openings 69 formed in the gate with axial convexity such ,that the pins may rock to a limited extent out of axially parallel relation with Ipassages 24 upon engagement `with lugs 66, thereby equalizing "loading transmitted to the thrust rings tending to rotate them generally in the direction of gate rotation. Such ring rotation is effective to bodily laterally displace the packing annuli into pressurized sealing engagement --with opposite sides ofthe gate, through the interaction ofthe ball `bearings 43 with the `rings and caps 60 as explained above.

"The gate typically though not necessarily *contains two .circular openings 70 and 71 spaced diametrically oppositely of the gateaxis of rotation 72. `An orifice type `gate insert `73 may be fitted in opening `71 and a solid uinsert 173 vin opening 7i) loosely engaging the walls thereof. "The openings are respectively located in 'such'relation with diametrically opposite 'pins 67 and 68 that upon gate rotation 'bringing a pin into engagement'with the ring lugs 66 'one or the other of the `openings 70 and 71 VWill be in .centered registration with passages 24 at the 'time that further gate rotation `is effectively `blocked b-by ipressural engagement of the packing annuli with the-sides of the gate or orifice insert.

Thus, when the `gate is rotated counterclockwise, pin v67 engages the ring 'lugs andthe orifice insert containing a flow metering oriiice 75 4is brought into `and held in `centered relation with passage .axis 42, the packing annuli at the Vsame time 'sealing oft` between the `gate insert and bosses lffii. And, when the gate is rotated clockwise, pin `68 Vengages the ringlugs, and opening 70 togetherwith solid gate insert T173 is brought into centered relation with passages 24 for blanking the flow.

-Under the llatter condition, the oriticetype ygate insert V73 `is positioned between .a pair of removable plugs A76 threaded 'opposite one 'another vinto `the caps 60 4and proljecting into chamber 64, so'that the irmer faces`77 of the `jplugs `are vin loose guiding engagement with the `gate and gate inserts during gate rotation. The plugs `are Adiametrically larger than the inserts to accommodate ready replacementof `theinserts, from either side of the fitting after removal of one of the plugs. "Inasmuch as the packing annuli Iare at such times sin pressure sealing enjgagementwith one or` the other of the gate inserts and bosses 18, Auid iiow through the valve passages 24 is effectively isolated from chamber 64, facilitating changing of"the1insertpositioned between the plugs.

'I'he gate is mounted for rotation `in chamber '64 `by sliding engagement of annular peripheral gate `shoulders 180, at opposite sides of circumferentially spaced lgate teeth .81, with annular shoulders 82 formed Yby capsf66,

facilitating lateral :removal of the gate when one of the caps is disassembled from the annulus 63. Gate teeth 81 are in turn n-mesh with a-Worrnii formed "on a `shaft '90 lengageable Vby a wrench forturning theshaft to keecft gate rotation between its limiting angular positions nas described above. To change a gate insert it is only necessary to `manually turn shaft 85 in rone direction as -far as possible so `as to rotate the gate bringing an opening '70 or 71 betweenthe removable -plugs 76. For example, the oritice insert 73 may be `replaced `with `an insert having the same or a different size oriiice after removing one of the plugs. Thus, the only auxiliary steps necessary in changing an insert are turning :of shaft 85 and removing and replacing one plug 476.

`It should -be noted that t-wo `orifice type gate inserts, having the same-or different sized openings, can `beinstalled `in gate openings 70 and 71 instead of the orifice insertand solid insert combination described above. fIn any event the operation of removing and installing new inserts is the same 'asprev'iously described.

lDrainage of sediment trapped in the lower end of chamber 64 is `facilitated VVby removing: plug 91 `from threaded port 92`inthe bottom of the Vannulus 63. 4Be fore removingplugs 76 or plug 91 pressure wit-hin chamber 64 `should 'be released lthrough valve fitting 93 thread- `ed into an opening 94 in the top of the annulus.

`Seals between lthe annulus 63 and caps 60, 96-between the caps and plugs 76, and -97 between the bushings 86, shaft 85 and head 88 respectively prevent .the escape of uid from chamber-64.

I claim:

1. An improved valve, Acomprising body means forming an enclosed valve chamber `and having owpassages opening into the chamber for flowing fluid therethrough, a stopper member movable in the chamber into and out of position 'in which the stopper blanks flow through the 7chamber, `said body means form-ing a `cylindrical Vboss extending around lat least oneof said passages and projecting into said chamber `and into c-lose fitting vengagement `with the stopper in said flow blanking position thereof, and a packing `assembly mounted upon -said boss in said `chamber :and including an `annulus of `internally `tenacious packing material for sealing oit 1the tbetween said bess and stopper when the ,stopper is in 4said -flow blanking position, said assembly including thrust means for transmitting pressure toward said Apacking annulus -to thrust said annulus --toward and into sealing contact with the stopper member, said thrust means including a thrust member kencircfl-ingsaid -boss and having van annularly continuous portion spaced radially outwardly from the lboss -so that said portion and the boss form -an annular channel receiving said packing annulus, said assembly including ani-nsert ring in said channel cooperative Awith said thrust member, boss and stopper `to conne the packing annulusagainst pressural extrusion from said `channel `willen `the annulus `is thrust into sealing contact with the stopper.

'2. An improved valve, Vcomprising body means forming an enclosed valve chamber and having flow passages -opening into `thechamber for Aiiowing fluid therethrough,

`a stopper member movable in the chamber into and out Vof position in kwhich the stopper blanks flow through `the chamber, said "body means forming a cylindrical boss #extending .around `at least one of said passages and Apro- `iecting into said Achamber and into close `fitting engagement the Astopper in said ow blanking position thereof, and a packing assembly mounted upon said -boss in said chamber `and including an annulus of internally `.tenacious packing material for sealing off the t between said `boss `and -stopper when the stopper is in said -flow -ublanking position,` said assembly including thrust means 7 `sembly including an insert ring in said channel cooperative with said thrust member, boss and stopper to .con-

`iine the packing annulus against pressural extrusion from `said channel when the annulus is thrust into sealing con- ;tact with the stopper, and means operable to move the stopper into ow blanking position and thereafter to simultaneously rotate said thrust memberabout said boss and bodily move said thrust member along the boss whereby said thrust member thrusts the packing annulus into sealing contact with the stopper member.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which said last named means includes cam means and in which said thrust member comprises a ring, said thrust ring and ycam means having interengaged relatively movable sur- .ring relation therewith.

5. The invention as dened in claim 4 in which said insert ring extends about the periphery of said packing annulus, and in which said insert ring and packing an- .nulus project from said channel toward the flow blank- .ing position of the stopper.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 in which said thrust ring extends radially inwardly over one end of said `packing annulus furthest from the stopper member, and Isaid packing annulus extends radially outwardly over one end of said insert ring furthest from the stopper member.

7. An improved gate valve, comprising body means forming an enclosed valve chamber and having laterally oppositely spaced inlet and outlet passages opening into the chamber for flowing fluid therethrough, a gate assembly including a gate movable in the chamber in a longitudinal plane into and out of position in which the gate blanks flow through the chamber, said body means forming a cylindrical boss extending around at least one .of said passages and projecting laterally into said chamber and yinto close fitting engagement with the gate in .said flow blanking position thereof, and a packing assembly mounted upon said boss in said chamber and including an annulus of internally tenacious packing malterial for sealing off the iit between said boss and gate when the gate is in said ow blanking position, said -packing assembly including thrust means for transmitting .pressure toward said packing annulus to thrust said annulus toward and into sealing contact with said gate, said thrust means including a thrust ring encircling said boss -and having an annularly continuous portion spaced radially outwardly from the boss so that said portion and the boss form an annular channel receiving said packing annulus, said packing assembly including an insert ring in said channel cooperative with said thrust ring, boss and gate to conine the packing annulus against pressural extrusion from said channel when the annulus is thrust into sealing Contact with the gate and means operable to move the gate into flow blanking position and thereafter to simultaneously rotate said thrust ring about said boss and bodily move said thrust ring along the boss f whereby said thrust ring thrusts the packing annulus into sealing contact with the gate.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 in which said 'f last named means include shoulders on said thrust ring and gate assembly interengageable to transmit tangential thrust from the gate assembly to the thust ring' acting about the thrust ning axis .to rotate the .thrust ring.

9. The invention as dened in claim 8 comprising lugs on the gate assembly and thrust ring.

10. The invention as defined in claim 7 in which said gate contains an orifice movable in-to ow controlling position between said inlet and outlet passages.l

l1. The invention as dened in claim 10 comprising an orice plate removably supported by the gate.

12. The invention as dened in claim 11 in which a section of said chamber forming body means is removable to give suflicient access to said chamber and plate from the valve exterior for removal of the plate when the gate is in flow blanking closed position.

13. The invention as dened in claim 10 comprising an orifice near one end of the gate, and including Vmeans for moving said gate longitudinally in said chamber.

14. The invention as defined in claim 12 comprising a circular gate extending in a plane normal to the flow direction through the valve and containing an opening between the gate center and periphery receiving said oritice plate, and including means for rotating said gate in said chamber.

15. An improved gate valve, comprising body means forming an enclosed valve chamber and having laterally oppositely spaced inlet and outlet passages opening into the chamber for flowing fluid therethrough, a gate assembly including a gate movable in the chamber in a longitudinal plane into and out of position in which the gate ,blanks flow through the chamber, said body means formviiow blanking position thereof, and packing assemblies mounted on said bosses in said chamber each packing assembly including an annulus of internally tenacious packing material for sealing oif the tit between said boss and gate when the gate is in said flow ,blanking position, each packing assembly including thrust means for transmitting pressure toward said packing annulus to thrust said annulus toward and `into sealing contact with said gate, said thrust means including a thrust ring encircling said boss and having an annularly continuous portion spaced radially outwardly from the boss so that said portion and the boss form an lannular channel receiving said packing annulus, each packing assembly including an insert ring in said channel cooperative with said thrust ring, boss and gate to conne the packing annulus against pressural extrusion from said channel when the annulus is thrust into sealing contact with the gate, and means operable to move the gate into flow blanking po- Vsition and thereafter to simultaneously rotate said V gate.

thrust rings about said bosses and bodily move said thrust rings along the bosses whereby the thrust rings thrust the packing annuli into sealing contact with the References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,062,064- Ward 4 May 20, 1913 1,168,490 Duncan Jan. 18, 1916 1,931,797 Howard Oct. 24, 1933 2,035,548 Johnson Mar. 31,1936 2,219,504 Willis Oct. 29, 1,940 2,298,036 Cohen f Oct. 6, 1942 2,316,933 Chaplin Apr. 20, 1943 2,734,714 Knox Feb. 14, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTSV 629,628 Germany Mayv 11, 1936 

